Bray Wanderers 3 Finn Harps 1
A seventh home triumph in the SSE Airtricity Men's First Division 2025 season saw Bray fly high into the summer break.
After falling behind on Friday, Wanderers responded to lead 2-1 at the interval with Billy O’Neill and Max Murphy on the mark.
In front of a home crowd exceeding 1,000 for the third week running at the Carlisle Grounds, the Wicklow side sealed the points with a third score through substitute Danú Kinsella Bishop late on.
Having taken just six points from the first 15 on offer, after March’s 5-0 away loss to the Donegal outfit, the Seagulls have answered in style by securing 28 points from the next 36 available.
From the line-up who’d gone down top Wexford the week previous at the same venue, there was three changes.
Irish schools captain Alain Kizenga was handed his first league start in Green and White of the league campaign at right-back.
Both midfielder Cian Doyle and front man Cian Curtis also began the game.
On the bench, defender Dylan Barnet made a welcome return after injury.
The difference between the Wexford contest and this encounter, was that the Wicklow side took their chances.
Although away custodian Oisin Cooney tried to emulate Paul Martin with a series of saves, Bray came from 1-0 down to deservedly claim victory.
Cooney denied Curtis twice in the second and sixth minutes’.
Against the run of play, the visitors took a ninth minute lead.
Joel Bradley-Walsh’s free was cleared. Gavin McAteer’s shot from outside the box took a deflection off Gavin Hodgins and wrong-footed Jimmy Corcoran.
Undeterred, the hosts hit back. Rhys Knight fired over in the 12th minute. Cooney then gathered the same players flick on the quarter hour.
In the 16th minute, Kilian Cantwell’s 16-yard effort was deflected across the box. But close in, Cooney made a goal-line block to thwart Curtis again.
However, Wanderers were deservedly back on level terms in the 25th minute.
Rhys Knight showed great skill to keep the ball in play off the left endline. He showed strength to hold off a defender and square the ball. It set up O’Neill to side foot in his third goal of the season.
Doyle blasted just off target in the 27th minute.
Then in the 29th minute, Wanderers won a penalty.,
It was all down to Conor Knight. He charged down a clearance off the left wing. Chasing the ball, he then won possession, But the wide man brought own on the touchline in the box.
Max Murphy stepped up to convert his fifth spot-kick of the campaign.
In a tight second period, the crucial third goal arrived in the 82nd minute.
O’Neill got to the right byline and cut the ball back to set up Doye. His low angled shot was kept out by Cooney. But the unmarked Kinsella Bishop at the back left post slotted in low from four yards.
The final whistle meant Wanderers sit in third in the standings; seven points off leader Dundalk, and just a single point adrift of second placed Cobh Ramblers, after 17 league games.
Bray Wanderers: Jimmy Corcoran; Alain Kizenga, Kilian Cantwell, Benjamin Fagbemi (Paul Murphy 73), Max Murphy; Cian Doyle, Rhys Bartley; Billy O’Neill, Rhys Knight (Jamie Ryan 85), Conor Knight (Calum Costello 90+3); Cian Curtis (Danú Kinsella Bishop 72).
Subs not used: Dylan Barnett, Thomas Considine, Jordan Tallon, Richard Ferizaj, Stephen McGuinness.
Booked: Kizenga 40, Doyle 53, Paul Murphy 90.
Finn Harps: Oisin Cooney; Josh Cullen, Max Hutchinson, Joel Bradley-Walsh (Daniel Cunnigham 86), Joel Thompson; Tony McNamee; Gavin Gilmore (Aaron McLaughlin half time), Gavin McAteer (Conor McGranaghan 81), Adam McDaid (Anthony Dodd 66), Gradi Lomboto (Shaunie Bradley 81);
Gavin Hodgins.
Subs not used: Kevin Jordan, William Olamipo Oduwa, Patrick Ferry, Corey Sheridan.
Booked: Thompson 45 + 1, McNamee 57.
Referee: Alan Franklin (Wexford).
Pictures: Stefan and Harry Teehan.
Mint+ Man of the Match: Alain Kizenga.
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